Nashoba deep, ready for season

Thursday

Sep 4, 2014 at 1:47 PMSep 4, 2014 at 1:47 PM

By Martin Renzhofermrenzhofer@wickedlocal.com

Jamie Tucker is more at ease as he begins his second season as head coach of Nashoba Regional High School.Not that Tucker or his coaches will allow the players to become more at ease. If anything, coming off a 7-4 season – and three years removed from an undefeated campaign and the 2011 Central Mass. Division II Super Bowl Championship – they’re cracking the whip.The Chieftains came into summer camp conditioned and prepared and the coaches are building on that foundation, trying to maintain a tradition that began in the 1990s.Nashoba Regional has won two Super Bowls, including a first in 1999."From the first day they were ready," Tucker said. "The kids were fully attentive. I’ve no complaints about their effort. You always hope the kids will come to camp in great shape."More than 80 players, including six returning starters on defense, turned out for the chance to fight for the Midland Wachusett Div. B championship.Only two starters return on offense, but they are both on the line, anchored by center Wilson Fay. He also plays defensive tackle."One of our strengths, we’re pretty deep," Tucker said. "We have a lot of experience defensively."We have a lot of guys who got a chance to play last year."Quarterbacks Chad Sarnosky and Drew Schartner will battle for starting time. Each will also play in the defensive secondary.Greg Gothie and Nick Rodgers are in the Chieftain backfield.Tucker expects a tough go of it in league, where a battle is expected each week. There will be no easy weekends."Tradition here is really high," said Tucker, an assistant who took over for his successful father, Ken. "We want to sustain the program."Much of that comes from the head coach, who had some big shoes to fill."I’m a lot more comfortable with the process," Tucker said.Follow Martin Renzhofer on Twitter@mrenzhofer.